Eilts pushed aside as Germany coach
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Article summary
Dieter Eilts has been dismissed as coach of Germany despite leading his side to the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals in Sweden, with U19 coach Horst Hrubesch named as his short-term replacement.
Article top media content
Article body
Joint statement
The 43-year-old was relieved of his duties following a meeting in Frankfurt with German Football Association general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach, senior national team coach Joachim Löw, sporting director Matthias Sammer and Mannschaft general manager Oliver Bierhoff. A joint statement from Löw and Sammer read: "We have a playing philosophy with the senior national team and a way of working, which we have applied to the different youth national teams with modifications according to age and stage of development. The U21s have reached the 2009 finals in Sweden, but we have different opinions concerning tactics. Thus we have agreed to make a change, which was not an easy decision, as Dieter Eilts has picked up great experience as a Germany player and coach." Germany beat France 2-1 on aggregate to reach the finals and take on Italy in their next fixture, a friendly game on 18 November. Eilts' permanent successor is expected to be named "soon".